We’re all familiar with the term varicose veins but do we understand exactly what they are, what causes them and what treatment options are available? This article is entitled Varicose Veins Made Simple and aims to provide a little more understanding in plain words.
What Are Varicose Veins – Made Simple
There are 2 main types of blood vessels which form a vast delivery and collection network around our body.
1: Arteries:
These pump oxygenated blood away from the heart around the body to all the organs that require it. Arteries are rigid, thick and muscular in order to withstand high pressure caused by the pumping pressure of the heart.
2: Veins:
Veins, on the other hand, carry the deoxgenated blood back to the heart. They are much thinner than arteries and are collapsable. They also differ by the fact they transport the blood capillary action and are hence lower pressure vessels.
How Veins Work
As mentioned above, whilst the heart pumps blood round the body through the artieries the veins tansport it back to the heart by a capillary action – let us explain.
Every vein is fitted with a series of one way valves. These valves allow blood to bflow through them before these close shut and prevent a back flow and it’s this action that pushes the blood back to the heart. Things can, and do go wrong though. Think about it … these amazing little vessels have to do so much work and under incredible pressure too.
The heart is located high up in the chest area of the body yet the veins have to push the blood back to this area from all parts of the body and all extremities and often against the natural pull of gravity. Take the feet and legs for ecample. The veins have to push the blood all the way up the body, even when we’re standing up, to the heart. And these one way valves have to stop the blood from flowing back and forming oceans of blood around our feet!
Sometimes these valves malfunction and allow some back-flow. This results in some of the blood forming pools below the affected valve which, in turn puts extra pressure on the valve below which then has a greater chance of malfunction and so on. And it’s this that we know as varicose veins.
Whilst they can appear anywhere the legs are the most common area to be affected – simply because of the extra pressure on the veins in this area. What we see are knarly, lumpy, bumpy lines of veins that pop up through the skin. The lumpy, bumpy effect is simply the pools of blood that gave formed for the reasons just explained.
Varicose Veins Made Simple – Prevention?
Prevention is always better than cure so make sure you look after your veins. Be especially aware during times of high risk (during pregnance for example). This means:
- Exercise regularly to keep the blood flowing
- Maintain your weight within normal levels to keep pressure down
- Eat foods which are high in fibre and low in salt
- Don’t wear high heels or overly tight hosiery too often
- Avoid standing too long and change position regularly
- Elevate your legs whenever you can which reduces pressure on the veins substantially.
Varicose Veins Made Simple – When Things Go Wrong
In most cases varicise veins may look unsightly but present no medical issues and result in no pain or discomfort at all. That said, it goes without saying that if you are in the least bit concerned you should always seek professional medical advice. You can read more here >>>.
Treatment options will depend on each individual diagnosis but will usually involve either closing the affected vein off so that the blood will find an alternative route or complete removal of the affected vein. Without going into specific details there are a number of ways to do this – you can read the details here in this article entitled Surgical Treatment Of Varicose Veins
There are also a number of natural treatments that are claimed to be effective in the treatment of varicose veins. You may want to read this feature How To Get Rid Of Varicose Veins And Spider Veins Naturally for more information.
Varicose Veins Cream
There are also a number of natural treatment creams on the market which are claimed to be effective in the fight against varicose veins. One such cream is Venorex Varicose Vein Cream. Reviews suggest it to be effective, especially when used as a prevention cream. We suggest you can read the Venorex Varicose Vein Cream Reviews and make your own mind up.
